Rayon Sports Football Club sent a powerful message on Saturday, dismantling rivals Kiyovu Sports 4-0 in front of a packed Kigali Pelé Stadium to claim the top spot in the league.
Fans filled the stadium to near capacity, with 90% in blue and white, as Rayon’s passionate supporters turned out in full force for the high-stakes showdown.
The game was the highlight of the season so far, especially for Rayon Sports, whose leadership issues were recently resolved after a challenging four-year period. The club’s united front brought renewed energy to the squad, with officials even joining the team’s final training session on Friday.
While the scoreline suggests an easy win, Kiyovu Sports proved to be a tougher opponent than many expected, especially in the first half. They held their ground, pressing Rayon and creating some near-misses, with players like Masengo Tansele, Nizeyimana Djuma, and Sherrif Bayo forcing Rayon’s defense to stay on high alert. Both sides went into halftime deadlocked at 0-0.
The second half saw Rayon Sports turn up the heat. Just before the hour mark, Hadji Iraguha broke the stalemate in the 58th minute, latching onto a loose ball and firing a low shot that beat goalkeeper Nzeyirwanda Djihad, sparking celebrations in the stands.
With momentum firmly on their side, Rayon piled on the pressure. Substitute Adama Bagayogo, who had come on for Prinsee Elanga Kanga, played a major role in the attacking surge. In the 76th minute, his powerful shot was saved by Nzeyirwanda, only for Iraguha to pounce on the rebound and slot home his second, doubling Rayon’s lead to 2-0.
Rayon wasn’t done yet. Two minutes later, in the 78th, Fall Ngagne showcased his skill, receiving a precise pass from Muhire Kevin, dribbling past defenders, and slotting the ball into the back of the net for Rayon’s third goal.
In added time, Bagayogo put the final nail in Kiyovu’s coffin. In the fourth minute of stoppage time, he unleashed one of his trademark rockets, finding the back of the net to cap off the 4-0 rout.
With this emphatic victory, Rayon Sports not only takes the three points but also the top spot in the league with 14 points. Kiyovu, on the other hand, remains at the bottom with just three points, left reeling after a brutal defeat.
